Assessment of the education of deaf students in the integrated primary schools of Amhara national regional state : practices, opportunities and challenges

The purpose of this study was to assess the educational practices, opportunities and challenges of deaf learners in Amhara National Regional State Integrated Primary Schools. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches and descriptive research design have been used to accomplish this purpose. The samples of this study were deaf learners, teachers of deaf learners, and principals from ten (10) Integrated Primary Schools in the research area. From 343 deaf learners in Grades 5–8, only 170 (50%) of them were selected through simple random sampling technique. Of the 110 teachers of deaf learners, 55 (50%) of them were selected using probability sampling method of simple random sampling technique and from the 10 Integrated Primary Schools, 10 principals were selected using the non-probability sampling technique of the purposeful sampling method. The data was gathered by means of observation, interview and questionnaire. Deaf learners, their teachers in the classroom and the school compound of the Integrated Primary Schools were observed. Deaf learners, teachers of deaf learners and school principals were interviewed, and questionnaire was also administered to deaf learners and their teachers. The result indicated that the overall school environments of the Integrated Primary Schools are not conducive for deaf learners. In the classrooms, oral communication is used as a means of instruction and to exchange ideas among deaf learners, teachers and learners without hearing impairment that did not help deaf learners to be socially integrated. In the teaching-learning process, deaf learners’ classroom participation was poor, and their overall achievement is found to be less than learners without hearing impairment. Besides, in the Integrated Primary Schools, teacher’s inability of sign-language, shortage of teaching materials and resources, absence of different types of teaching and assessment methodologies were the major challenges faced by deaf learners. The opportunities that deaf learners receiving were monthly pocket money and school uniform from the Integrated Primary Schools. The Integrated Primary Schools need to design policies, strategies and mechanisms that solve and/or minimize the educational challenges of deaf learners and on how to maximize the integration of learners with and without hearing disabilities, teachers and the school community in general to achieve better in the education system.Inclusive EducationPh. D. (Inclusive Education

Effects of Boron Nutrition and Water Stress on Nitrogen Fixation, Seed δ

Therefore, the objective of the current research was to investigate the effects of foliar B nutrition on seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and sugars under water stress conditions. A repeated greenhouse experiment was conducted using different maturity group (MG) cultivars. Plants were well-watered with no foliar B (W − B), well-watered with foliar B (W + B), water-stressed with no foliar B (WS − B), and water-stressed with foliar B (WS + B). Foliar B was applied at rate of 0.45 kg·ha−1 and was applied twice at flowering and at seed-fill stages. The results showed that seed protein, sucrose, fructose, and glucose were higher in W + B treatment than in W − B, WS + B, and WS − B. The increase in protein in W + B resulted in lower seed oil, and the increase of oleic in WS − B or WS + B resulted in lower linolenic acid. Foliar B resulted in higher nitrogen fixation and water stress resulted in seed δ15N and δ13C alteration. Increased stachyose indicated possible physiological and metabolic changes in carbon and nitrogen pathways and their sources under water stress. This research is beneficial to growers for fertilizer management and seed quality and to breeders to use 15N/14N and 13C/12C ratios and stachyose to select for drought tolerance soybean

Rural livelihood portfolios and determinants of livelihood diversification among rural households in North-Western Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, over the past decades, researchers in the field of rural development have tended to agree that the number of poor people in rural areas of Ethiopia exceeds the capacity of agriculture to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities. Thus, despite the persistent image of Ethiopia as a country of subsistence farmers, over the past decades, there has been an outstanding tendency for rural economic diversification. Thus, the aim of this study is to characterize rural households’ livelihood portfolios and examine the major determinants of income diversification in the study area. The study employed a sequential embedded research design. To evaluate the level of household livelihood diversification, the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI) was used. Censured regression models were also employed to identify the major determinants of livelihood diversification. The findings of the study revealed that households in the study area depend on a variety of livelihood portfolios. Diversification into off-farm sources contributed 35% to total household income. The result also indicated that household livelihood diversification is significantly determined by household head educational status, access to training, age, family size, livestock ownership, land ownership, the proportion of infertile land, access to roads, and agro ecology at less than 5% probability level. As a result, the traditional sector-based approach should be broadened by adopting and implementing a local development strategy that includes both farm and non-farm activities

Effects of Drought and Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide on Seed Nutrition and 15N and 13C Natural Abundance Isotopes in Soybean Under Controlled Environments

The objective of the current research was to evaluate the effects of drought and elevated CO2 on seed production and seed nutrition under controlled conditions in soybean. Soybean plants were subjected to ambient and elevated CO2 and under irrigated and drought conditions. The results showed that drought or drought with elevated CO2 resulted in high protein and oleic acid, but low in oil and linoleic and linolenic acids. Significant decrease of sucrose, glucose, and fructose concentrations was noticed, but high content of raffinose and stachyose was observed. Nutrients such as N, P, K, and some micro-nutrients were reduced under drought or drought with normal or elevated CO2 concentrations. Seed δ15N (15N/14N ratio) and δ13C (13C/12C ratio) natural abundance isotopes were also altered under drought or drought with ambient or elevated CO2 concentrations, reflecting nitrogen and carbon metabolism changes. The current research demonstrated that global climate changes may lead to changes in seed nutrition, and nitrogen and carbon metabolism. Efforts of breeders to select for these traits will sustain food source and food security for humans and livestock as soybean is a major source for protein and oil for human consumption and soymeal for animals

Foreign aid on economic growth in Africa: A comparison of low and middle-income countries

Previous empirical studies on the effects of foreign aid on economic growth have generated mixed results that make it difficult to draw policy recommendations. The main reason for such mixed results is the choice of a single aggregate list of countries, regardless of the disparities in levels of development. This study therefore fills the development gap by disaggregating the African data into a panel of 20 middle- income and 19 low- income African countries over a period of 15 years between 1995 and 2010, and employing a dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) model to address the dynamic nature of economic growth as well as the problems of endogeneity. The results of this study support the theoretical hypothesis that a positive relationship between aid and GDP growth exists, but only for low-income African countries, not middle-income ones. On the other hand, the study reveals that middle- income African countries tend to experience a greater impact on their economic growth from foreign direct investment (FDI) and natural resources revenues, mainly oil exports. This implies that the frequent criticism that foreign aid has not contributed to economic growth is flawed, at least in the case of low-income African countries. In fact, foreign aid has played a critical role in stimulating economic growth in such countries through supplementing domestic sources of finance such as savings, thus increasing the amount of investment and capital stock in them

Seed Nutrition and Quality, Seed Coat Boron and Lignin Are Influenced by Delayed Harvest in Exotically-Derived Soybean Breeding Lines under High Heat

The timing of harvest is a major factor affecting seed quality in soybean, particularly in Midsouthern USA, when rain during harvest period is not uncommon. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of time of harvest on soybean seed quality (seed composition, germination, seed coat boron, and lignin) in high germinability (HG) breeding lines (50% exotic) developed under high heat. The hypothesis was that seeds of HG lines possess physiological and genetic traits for a better seed quality at harvest maturity and delayed harvest. A 2-year field experiment was conducted under irrigated conditions. Results showed that, at harvest maturity, the exotic HG lines had higher seed protein, oleic acid, sugars, seed coat boron, and seed coat lignin, but lower seed oil compared with the non-exotic checks (Control), confirming our hypothesis. At 28 days after harvest maturity (delayed harvest), the content of seed protein, oleic acid, sugars, seed coat boron, and seed coat lignin were higher in some of the HG lines compared with the checks, indicating a possible involvement of these seed constituents, especially seed coat boron and seed coat lignin, in maintaining seed coat integrity and protecting seed coat against physical damage. Highly significant positive correlations were found between germination and seed protein, oleic acid, sugars, and seed coat boron and seed coat lignin. Highly significant negative correlation was found between germination and oil, linoleic acid, seed coat wrinkling, shattering, and hard seed. Yields of some HG lines were competitive with checks. This research demonstrated that time of harvesting is an important factor influencing seed protein and oil production. Also, since high oleic acid is desirable for oxidative stability, shelf-life and biodiesel properties, using HG lines could positively influence these important traits. This result should suggest to breeders of some of the advantages of selecting for high seed coat boron and lignin, and inform growers of the importance of timely harvest for maintaining high seed quality

Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting, Southern Soybean Disease Workers (March 10-11, 2010, Pensacola Beach, Florida)

Contents SSDW treasury report Southern United States Soybean Disease Loss Estimates for 2009. Compiled by SR Koenning Green Bean symposium (Jason Bond, moderator) Factors Contributing to Green Plants at Maturity. DJ Boquet, RL Leonard, GB Padgett, RW Schneider, J Griffin, J Davis, and R Vaverde The Green Stem Disorder Enigma in Illinois. C Hill and G. Hartman The Influence of Fungicides, Herbicides, and Their Interactions on Green Bean Syndrome. GB Padgett, DJ Boquet, RW Schneider, and MA Purvis Association of Stink Bug Injury with A Green Plant Malady in Soybean. JH Temple, BR Leonard, J Davis, P Price, and J Hardke Managing Green Stem: Desiccant Application Timing in Indeterminate and Determinate Soybean. JM Boudreaux, JL Griffin, RW Schneider, and GB Padgett Graduate student paper competition (Boyd Padgett, moderator) Disinfection of Soybean Seed by Sterilization of C. kikuchii and Other Seedborne Fungi with Gaseous Chlorine Compounds. P Price, DJ Stephens, RW Schneider, and GB Padgett Field Evaluations of Simplicillium lanosoniveum as a Biological Control Agent for Phakopsora pachyrhizi. NA Ward, RW Schneider, and CL Robertson Effects of Environment and Cultivar on Charcoal Rot Development in Soybeans. M Doubledee, J Rupe, C Rothrock, S Bajwa, A Steger, and R Holland Field Evaluation and Molecular Screening of Soybean Lines for Resistance to Sudden Death Syndrome. DW Clark and S Kantartzi Southern Soybean Disease Workers paper session (Clayton Hollier and Boyd Padgett, moderators) Effect of a Fungicide and Insecticide Application on Soybean Seed Quality in Mississippi. TW Allen, CH Koger, AL Catchot, J Gore, D Cook, RE Baird, S Martin, and C Daves USB Funding of Soybean Disease Research. R. Joost Can Headline Fungicide Reduce Yield Loss in Soybean Caused by Soybean Cyst Nematode? DE Hershman and BS Kennedy Efficacy, Yield and Economics of Ballad Plus Biofungicide for Soybean. S Atwell, D Warkentin, and D Manker Management of Soybean Nematodes Through the use of Resistance and Nematicides. M Emerson, S Monfort, A Carroll, J Fortner, T Kirkpatrick, and J Barham Asian Soybean Rust in Louisiana: Evidence of a Dynamic Pathogen. CA Hollier, PA Bollich, GB Padgett, and MA Purvis Alabama Disease Survey. E Sikora, JF Murphy, K Lawrence, and D Delaney Black Root Rot of Soybean: An Emerging Problem in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. C Coker, T Allen, and GB Padgett Soybean Resistance to SCN in.North Carolina, a Continuing Story. SR Koening Research Update on Screening Germ plasm and Breeding for Reisistance to Phomopsis Seed Decay in Soybean. S Li, A Wrather, P Chen, and J Rupe Afternoon sessions (Cliff Coker, moderator) Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus: A New Widespread Virus in the Southeast and Midwest. J Zhou, R-H Wen, M Newman, SK Kantartzi, MR Hajimorad, and IE Tzanetakis Black Root Rot a New Soybean Disease to Arkansas. A Carroll, S Monfort, M Emerson, and J Fortner Proceedings of the Southern Soybean Disease Workers are published annually by the Southern Soybean Disease Workers. Text, references, figures, and tables are reproduced as they were submitted by authors. The opinions expressed by the participants at this conference are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the Southern Soybean Workers. Mention of a trademark or proprietary products in this publication does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of that product by the Southern Soybean Disease Workers

An Assessment on Socio-Economic Impacts of Smallholder Eucalyptus Tree Plantation in the case of Northwest Ethiopia

The availability of forest products determines the possibilities for forest-based livelihood options. Plantation forest is a widespread economic activity in highland areas of Amhara regional state, owing primarily to degradation and limited access to natural forests. As a result, tree plantation becomes one of the rural livelihood options in the area. Given the increasing importance of smallholder plantation in highland areas of Amhara Regional States, therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the extent of smallholder plantation and its socio-economic impact. To address the above-mentioned research a sequential embedded mixed research designs where employed. These qualitative and quantitative data were collected from both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were collected from 385 sample households determined based on Cochran sample size formula and selected via a three stage-multi-stage sampling method. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Smallholder eucalyptus plantation in the study area was discovered to be a common practice, and it is now part of the livelihood portfolio for meeting both household wood consumption and generating cash income. According to the PSM model's ATT results show that income from selling farm forest products certainly contributes more to household total income, farm expenditure per cultivated land, and education spending than non-planter households.  As a result, the government must strengthen plantation practices by prioritizing specific intervention areas while implementing measures to counteract the plantation's inequality-increasing effect through a variety of means, including progressive taxation

Advancing Our Understanding of Charcoal Rot in Soybeans

Charcoal rot [Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid] of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important but commonly misidentified disease, and very few summary articles exist on this pathosystem. Research conducted over the past 10 yr has improved our understanding of the environment conducive to disease development, host resistance, and improved disease diagnosis and management. This article summarizes the currently available research with an emphasis on disease management